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If you’re looking for one of those hunts that will stick in your mind forever, then come to the Solitude Ranch, and hunt Merriam Turkeys. It’s common to hear as many as 30 to 50 birds gobbling their heads off as the sun peaks over the Black Hills. The spring hunt can be amazing, and the fall hunt holds even more birds. Hunt them with archery gear out of a ground blind, or run and gun with your favorite
shotgun. Either way you’re sure to have the Turkey hunt of your dreams.
The most successful spring hunters have relied on their ability to call, and be patient. If you play it smart you can actually pattern these birds quite easily. Set up watch what they do in the morning, and evening, and then move in for the ambush. Merriam
Turkeys are a breed of their own, they don’t seem to have that aggressive nature that the Eastern
or Osceola Turkeys have. Try decoying them to get them close enough for the shot, but don’t expect one to come in and attack your decoys. On some days they can seem to be the dumbest bird of the five species our continent holds, and on others they can be more stubborn than any other bird you’ve ever called to. |
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If it’s numbers your looking for, then Solitude is the place for you. It’s common to see 200 birds a day, and that’s only if you stay in one area. We have driven the ranch, and parts of the leased ground and seen well over 500 birds during our morning drive. The birds like roosting in the many Ponderosa Pine trees that stand along the canyons that decorate the landscape near the Black Hills. The many miles of Belle Fourche River bottom also hold thousands of Turkeys. Many of the birds will spend their day down along the river, only to return to the Black Hills in the evening to roost. This is where our knowledge of the landscape comes in real handy. Our guides can set you up to ambush these
birds on their way back to roost. If you’re looking to complete your Turkey Slam, or just trying to take your first Turkey, give Solitude a try.
Your hunt will begin when you check in at the rustic looking Hulett Motel, where you will take care of any paper work, tags, and meet up with your guide. Our guides will be available to go over property boundaries, hunt strategies, tree-stand set up, blind set up, pick up and drop off at hunting locations, and will lend a hand in field dressing. Your trophy will age nicely in our walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer. All hunters will be responsible for game care, and meat processing, as well as taxidermy.
TURKEY HUNTING DATES AND RATES:
Merriam’s Turkey Hunt: Any Weapon
Season Dates: Spring Season - April 12th, 2008 thru May 20th, 2008
Fall Season - Nov 1th, 2008 thru Nov 30th, 2008
3 Day Spring Hunt (Tom’s only): $900.00
2 Day Fall Hunt: $500.00 (Tom) - $200.00 (Hen)
Non-Hunting Guests: $200.00 Per Day
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HOW WE HUNT:
All hunts are semi-guided, meaning we will take you out show you all the ranch boundaries, give you all the knowledge we have learned on the animals, their travel patterns, feeding areas, waterholes, bedding areas and roost trees etc. We will then show you how and where we believe you should set up, but the ultimate decision on how and what to do will be yours. Once you decide on how you want to set up we will give you the help necessary to accomplish this. We travel our 30,000 acres using 4wd vehicles, ATVs and on foot. We hunt from blinds, tree stands or you can spot and stalk or still hunt, again the choice is yours. |
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